When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Premier League clubs have been told the “eight to ten” neutral ground plan is an experiment - and all 20 could be used next season.

Mirror Sport can reveal the Premier League stressed to clubs it was the Government and the police who have insisted on the “approved” stadium idea in Project Restart with all remaining 92 games behind closed doors.

But it was made clear in last Friday’s meeting that if it goes to plan then next season all 20 grounds could be opened up for Premier League games and the end of this season was described as a “test run” for the neutral venues.

However, it is still uncertain even then whether clubs could return to playing at their own grounds because of the fear of fans turning up at their stadium or, more worryingly, congregating at nearby pubs.

Arsenal's Emirates Stadium (Image: Getty Images)

The neutral grounds being used for the rest of the season is seen as the biggest single stumbling block in resuming the season with relegation-threatened clubs insisting that home advantage will be crucial to winning games during the run-in.

But the fear is that fans would still turn up in their droves to their own grounds and break social distancing rules which are likely to be in place well into next season which is why clubs are already resigned to behind closed doors games for much of the 2020/21 season.

However, some clubs believe you could not start next season in neutral venues and finish it with clubs playing in their own stadiums with home advantage as that would be unfair so there is a possibility that it could be neutral venues for the whole campaign.

But the neutral grounds is the biggest sticking point among clubs opposed to restarting but it needs a 14-6 majority to restart with the clubs set to meet again this coming Friday.

Mirror Sport understands that Brighton, West Ham, Bournemouth, Watford, Norwich and Aston Villa all raised objections in the meeting.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has already spoken up publicly about the neutral ground issue, West Ham raised concerns about player welfare and yet it is still unknown as to how they will all vote.

But, according to a source, there was a clear 14-6 split.

There is believed to be a number of clubs who believe relegation should be scrapped if they have to go ahead in neutral grounds.

That could mean starting next season with 22 clubs with no clubs going down but Leeds and West Brom promoted.

One way that could be made attractive to the EFL would be to turn the parachute payments for relegated clubs into increasing the solidarity payments from the Premier League for the three lower divisions.

The FA Cup is still being factored into the plan and the final could be played on August 8 while the FA have already offered up as Wembley and St George’s Park as potential venues to play out the season.

While they are understood to be “off the table” for Premier League games, they could be used for the FA Cup with the final likely to be played at Wembley behind closed doors.